The lanky pacer from Tamil Nadu, K Vignesh was set to travel to Australia as a part of an exchange program between MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia along with Madhya Pradesh seam bowler Avesh Khan on July 29.
He would have missed the major portion of the second season of Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) where he is supposed to play for Kovai Kings. However, he preferred TNPL over the Australia tour making him available for the whole tournament. Lyca Kovai Kings will start their campaign against Badrinath’s Karaikudi Kaalai today.
This tour would have been a learning process for Vignesh to enhance his bowling skills as he got chances to work with Australian coaches. While talking to media, he said, “I”ve no complaints. I”m playing in a big tournament like the TNPL. If I do well and get my rewards, I could have an opportunity of playing in the IPL soon. As far as the Australia stint is concerned, I”m not sure whether I will be going after the TNPL or whether I will have to wait till next year.”
The 22-year-old disclosed the reason to give the Australia tour a miss due to the unavailability of seniors players like Murali Vijay and Ganesh Shankar. Murali Vijay is still recovering from his injury which he suffered while playing for India, whereas Ganesh Shankar will be traveling to South Africa to the India A tour.
“I will play the entire TNPL. I am not going to Australia because Vijay and Vijay Shankar are not available for Kovai. If I also would not have been available, it would have been a huge setback for Kovai. Hence, it was decided that I should stay back. The Kovai owner spoke over the phone to me and said he doesn’t want me to be missing the TNPL. That was a matter of pride,” Vignesh said while talking to TOI on Saturday.
Vignesh was outstanding with the ball as he took 11 wickets in the first season of TNPL for Kovai Kings. He has represented Tamil Nadu in 9 first-class matches taking 37 wickets.
